Blogging about life at a Benedictine monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The Grace to Stay Silent

Have you ever experienced a desire to "get a word in edgewise”
when someone is dominating a conversation? Or perhaps it was you, yourself, who
dominateda conversation so thatno one else could share her good or even
better idea . I know both situations. . . but we’re not alone in our experience.Read what a 17th century nun used
to pray; it could become our prayer, as well:

“Lord, Thou knowest better than I that I am growing older and
will someday be old.Keep me from the
fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every
occasion.Release me from craving to
straighten out everybody’s affairs.Make
me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity
not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.

“Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give
me wings to get to the point.Seal my
lips on my aches and pains.They are
increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help
me to endure them with patience.

“I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing
humility and lesscocksureness when my
memory seems to clash with the memories of others.Teach me the glorious lesson that
occasionally I may be mistaken.

“Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint—some of
them are so hard to live with—but a sour old person is one of the crowning
works of the devil.Give me the ability
to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people.And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them
so. Amen.”

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This blog is maintained by a group of Sisters at Saint Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. We try to post weekly and often succeed at that.
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